For the second time in just over a week, Howard County Police are reporting that an Officer’s patrol car was struck by an intoxicated driver.
The most recent incident took place at around 10:30pm on Friday, March 6th on Washington Boulevard in Laurel, MD. According to the Police report, the Officer was traveling southbound when an intoxicated driver traveling in the opposite direction attempted to make a left-hand turn across several lanes of traffic. The driver failed to yield to oncoming traffic and struck the Officer’s car head-on. Thankfully, while the patrol car sustained some significant damage, the Officer was not seriously injured and the driver was arrested for DUI.
In another recent but unrelated incident, a separate Police Officer in Howard County also had their patrol car struck by a drunk driver in the early morning of Saturday, February 28th. In this case, the Officer had parked their vehicle on the shoulder of Old Columbia Pike to conduct a field sobriety test of another motorist. While administering the test, another car, also driven by an intoxicated driver, veered off the road and struck the parked patrol car. Fortunately, no one was hurt in this accident either, and both drivers involved were arrested and charged with DUI.
This flurry of Drunk Driving activity putting Maryland’s Police Officers in danger illustrates that no one is safe from the danger of intoxicated drivers.
Here are some disturbing statistics that show just how dangerous and widespread the Drunk Driving problem in the U.S has become:
- According the Center for Disease Control, in 2012 nationwide, 10,322 people were killed in vehicle accidents that involved alcohol. This number accounted for 31% of all traffic-related casualties in the U.S.
- Nationwide, motor vehicle accidents involving alcohol are estimated to cost the country roughly $37 billion every year.
- In Maryland in 2012, there were 160 total fatalities in vehicle accidents involving alcohol.
- In Maryland in 2012, there were a total of 16,769 arrests made for Driving Under the Influence.
- Among Maryland drivers that were involved in fatal crashes with a Blood Alcohol Content of 0.15% or above, 75% were repeat offenders.
By getting behind the wheel and driving while impaired, drunk drivers put their lives and the lives of everyone around them at great risk. This is the most selfish and irresponsible behavior in which a motorist can engage, and at The Yost Legal Group, we want to help spread awareness about the problem so that we can put an end to Drunk Driving once and for all.
At The Yost Legal Group, we have seen first-hand the damage that Drunk Driving can cause for victims and their families. For this reason, we are dedicated to representing the rights of victims to the fullest, and will always fight to secure the maximum compensation to which our clients are entitled for their serious injuries.
If you or a loved one has been a victim of a drunk driver, you will need an experienced Maryland Drunk Driving attorney on your side. Call The Yost Legal Group today at 1-800-YOST-LAW (967-8529) for a FREE and confidential consultation. Our team of dedicated, compassionate and experienced attorneys will review the details of your case and will stand with you from the start of your claim through to the finish.
If you have been injured in an auto accident that was not your fault, don’t wait. Call today.
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